Framing George Town

The colours, the people, the passion

My thoughts through the lens

All photos and texts by Calvin Kwok

Continuing on my previous photo essay on arches and archways of George Town, the focus this week is on using natural and available structures or objects to frame some of the many famous landmarks in George Town. In this essay, I also intend to depict the inhabitants of the city by offering a glimpse into their lives and cultures from the daily activities to snapshots of one of the most colourful celebrations in Malaysia, the Thaipusam festival.

On hindsight, the images were taken on blistering days and searching for frameworks to compose required not only passion but also lots of perspiration as well. Nevertheless, it was definitely worth the while. Here is my take on George Town; captured from different angles and most of all, the conventional and at times unconventional methods to frame the subjects. I hope you will see the city’s attractions with a new frame of mind and a renewed zest for all things Penang, as I had.

An elderly man stopping by at his neighbour’s wooden house at Chew Jetty, Weld Quay. The Jetty is the biggest of the waterfront settlements in George Town.

Hello, world: An Indian man about to have his morning shave when he saw me and smiled. Captured along a row of old houses in Market Street.

Framing its own: The Masjid Kapitan Keling Mosque peeked from the arch of its similar-shaped gate carving.

Tanjung City Marina, Weld Quay. It is the country’s first inner city marina and strategically adjacent to the Penang ferry terminal.

A multitude of colors seen from a devotee’s window-like kavadi on the eve of Thaipusam ’09. Image taken up-close and personal while the devotees were taking a short rest during the procession.

A street dance seen from a low angle on the eve of Thaipusam ’09 near Market Street.

In black and white: Masjid Kapitan Keling viewed from a jewellery shop’s roller blind to achieve the conventional ‘frame within a frame’ look.

Eye-catching: The little girl’s eyes remind me of an Indian goddess’. This shot was framed off a boy’s shoulders during Thaipusam procession.

A cobbler working amidst his wares in front of an old building’s walkway at inner George Town

Royal Malaysian Customs (Wisma Kastam) with its reflection framed by a pool of water on the foreground. The Customs is located at Chinese Street Ghaut.

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) seen from the doorway of Standard Chartered Bank at Beach Street. One of the oldest roads to be laid in George Town, it continues to play an important role as the main banking street of George Town

Born, bred and schooled within the vicinity of George Town; Penang has been my home for over twenty years. As a way of saying ‘Welcome to Penang’, I would like to share scenes of Penang with you from my perspective as a keen amateur photographer. More [+]